Historic ranger’s residence offered for use to guests
by Peter Jakey– Managing Editor
One of the oldest buildings at P.H. Hoeft State Park, at one of Michigan’s oldest state parks, is entering a new era. The lodge, which was once the park ranger’s residence, will be available for rent by the Department of Natural Resources. Built in 1929 by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the structure was a catalog-ordered Sears-Roebuck and Company pre-fabricated bungalow with six rooms. It stands 150 yards from the Lake Huron shoreline. It is one of the first buildings a visitor will see after entering the park.
“January 1, 2006 was the last day a ranger could live here,” said park supervisor Blake Gingrich. “Park residences were closed to staff. We sold them off or disposed of them. This building stayed because of its historical value.” PARK RANGER Gary Williams, who plans to retire May 2 from the DNR, lived in the home with his family for 14 years. Gingrich said the original idea was to convert the building into a park store, but they instead decided on a rental unit. The home was renovated, and would have been ready last May, but the furniture didn’t arrive until December. The lodge is furnished with new oak furniture. Tables, chairs, bunk beds, two queen size beds, four Adirondack chairs and a game table are among the items crafted by Department of Corrections’ inmates learning new skills. They came from a facility in the thumb.
Purchased retail, Gingrich believes the price tag would have been around $6,000. The DNR purchased the material and the inmates produced some solid pieces of furniture that should last several years.
AMENITIES INCLUDE a refrigerator, electric stove, microwave, coffee maker and toaster. Linen/towels are supplied along with dishware, utensils, pots pans, and bakeware. “They have a front and a backyard. There’s a Weber grill in the garage, a fire pit and a picnic table,” said Gingrich. The lodge is already booked for the entire month of July. The plan is to offer it for use year around and increase off-season use. The park recently hosted its first ever cross country lantern light ski. With plenty of snow on the ground this winter, attendance was impressive for an opening night with 70 people, 80 the next time they conducted the event, and 30 to 40 on a cold night in early
“It is going to add another little chore for us trying to get in here and trying to clean this,” said Gingrich. “It is all new, but we are excited to take it on.” Smoking and pets are prohibited inside the lodge. Weekly rates are $580. Sunday-Thursday is $80 per night. Friday and Saturday nights are $90 per night. Reservations between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends require a two-night minimum. A three-night continuous stay is required for holiday weekends.
Any damage to the building will result in a citation and $25 per hour in labor to repair. All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a motor vehicle permit, available for purchase at the entrance.